MS.

BEANS CLASS QUARTER 3 CURRENT EVENT BLOG/ELEMENT OF THE WEEK

SCHEDULE
PLEASE PUT YOUR CURRENT EVENT AND SUMMARY AS A COMMENT UNDER THE CORRECT BLOG
TAB ON MS. BEANS WEBSITE: www.mhhsmsbean.weebly.com
Goals of the Blog
An essential piece of citizenship involves staying on top of current events. This assignment will
help to build this habit while at the same time helping you to make connections between the
past and the present. Also, it is necessary in the 21st century to be skilled at online
communication and able to participate in discussions on blogs. The hope is for this blog to be a
place where students can authentically discuss current events that they believe are relevant and
interesting without the restrictions and demands of a formal essay.

Requirements of the Blog

Each student will be assigned one week that they will be required to make one original
comment/post to the blog. THREE other times throughout the quarter you need to comment on
at least one other post from that week. (Total of 4 posts- 1 article, 3 comments). The original
post must be made by Thursday at 12pm so you are able to share out in class on Friday. If you
post after Thursday at 12 pm your post will only be eligible for late credit.
Blogging Guidelines (RESPECT!)
The mutual respect rule that exists within the classroom applies to anything posted on the
blog. The expectation is for all students to be civil. You can disagree with another post but you
need to make sure that you do so in a respectful manner. It is essential that you never
personally attack another student. For example, how can you live with yourself or only a
moron would think are NOT appropriate ways to respond to a post. Instead, Bob, did you
consider the effect or I understand the point that Sue is making but I disagree
because. Remember that everything in print can be taken twice as harsh as you might
intend. Posting under the influence of emotion is dangerous.

An excellent POST is one that

Introduces a new current event topic that has not yet been posted
Connects current event to science content (in approximately 1 sentence) MUST connect with
our class!
Provides a link to an article from a reliable news source
Includes embedded images, video, charts, cartoon, etc.
Includes reaction to the news article (in approximately 2-3 sentences)
Poses an issue or question for discussion
Is approximately 50-150 words
An excellent COMMENT is one that
Directly address the material or ideas presented in the post
Brings up a new perspective or idea
References others sources as support for their argument
Comments regularly throughout the quarter and does not cluster all comments in the final
week
Uses respectful academic language while agreeing and disagreeing with posts
Blog Grading
I will keep track of your blog participation throughout the quarter.
Posting Week Rubric
In order to provide you with more feedback, the rubric included here will be used:
The Post:
- Provides a title and link to an article from a reliable news source

Includes embedded images, video, charts, cartoon, etc.

Summarizes article in 2-3 sentences
Includes reaction to the news article
Connects current event to science content
Poses an issue or question for discussion
Is 50-150 words
Posted by Thursday 12pm on a Thursday Eveningto be presented Friday in class

Good Resources for News Articles

These sites are great places to get started in your search for a good news item to include in your
post. Please do not feel limited by this list in anyway it is just a list of suggestions to get you
started.

www.ecori.org
https://newsela.com/
http://www.nytimes.com/
http://www.npr.org/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
http://www.usatoday.com/
http://www.cnn.com/
Adapted from http://ushistorycurrentevents.blogspot.com/p/blog-assignment.html Go to the link to see examples from
Mr. Johnsons class!

CHEMISTRY STUDENTS ONLY: You may choose a current event related to chemistry OR
pick an element to research and must include:
-

Element Name, classification (non-metal/metal/metalloid), what family it is located on the

periodic table, how it was discovered, interesting information including important uses,
common compounds, etc. You might even want to show a video clip. Similarly to the
current event, you also must pose an issue or question for discussion.
MS. BEANS CLASS QUARTER 3 BLOG SCHEDULE

FRIDAY JANUARY 29, 2016 (period 7 drops)

Period 2: Jack, Eric, Claire, Brandon, Jared
Period 3: Lucas, Tori, Max, Jack
Period 4: Neil
Period 6: Olivia, Sara, Grace, Lily
Period 7: DROPS
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2016 (period 2 drops)
Period 2: DROPS
Period 3: Faith, Kyle, Antoine, Jeremy
Period 4: Jacob
Period 6: Hannah, Stewart, John, Carissa
Period 7: Kristen, Autumn

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2016 (period 8 drops)

Period 2: Quinn, Gunnar, Ashley, Meg, Keith
Period 3: Cam, Meaghan ,Aaron, Stephen
Period 4: Angelo
Period 6: Will, Ellie, Caitlyn, Ashley
Period 7: Elaina, Cassie
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2016 (period 3 drops)
Period 2: Colin, Thomas, Kerrie, Sabrina O
Period 3: DROPS
Period 4: Colin
Period 6: Liam, Annee, Jared, Kyle
Period 7: Sophia, Maria, Brittney
FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2016 (period 5 drops)
Period 2: Zach, Alec, Sabrina L, Britney, Madison
Period 3: Cory, Sam, Matt, Kaitlyn
Period 4: Jenn
Period 6: Zach, David, Gill, Anja
Period 7: Evan, Jenna, Emma
FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016 (period 7 drops)
Period 2: Nicole, Alana, Brian, Jacob
Period 3: Sarah, Kasey, Sarina, Nick
Period 4: Xavier
Period 6: Jacob, Megan, Patrick
Period 7: DROPS

FRIDAY MARCH 18, 2016 (period 2 drops)

Period 2: DROPS
Period 3: Will, Madeline, Connor, Branden
Period 4: Noah
Period 6: Matt, Katelyn, Monica
Period 7: Kelsey, Jenny-Lu
FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2016 (period 2 drops)
Period 2: Kyrik, Sam, Rayna, Alyssa
Period 3: Josh, James, Caroline, Ana
Period 4: Annika
Period 6: Starbrina, Sam, Alexa
Period 7: DROPS

Q3 ENDS APRIL 1ST